May 19 Devotion: Service To Your Church

SERVICE TO YOUR CHURCH

But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.  19).  And if it were all one member, where were the body?  20).  But now they are many members, yet but one body.  21).  And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.  22).  Nay, much more than those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:  23).  And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.  24).  For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honor to that part which lacked:  25).  That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care, one for another.  26).  And whether one me suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.

                             1 Corinthians 12:18-26

When we talk about serving the church with God-given talents and gifts, people oftentimes think too small. They picture the choir singer or the Sunday school teacher. But if they don’t happen to be naturally adept at singing or teaching, they give up.

It’s time we stop thinking in terms of a “Sunday only” establishment. The church is not a place or a time; it is a body of believers, each one uniquely gifted by God to guide, help, challenge, and support the rest. In fact, most service to the Lord doesn’t take place inside the church building. It happens out in the world, where we do all the things that Scripture commands.

Most believers are not in a position to influence a lot of people. When we act or speak, only those closest to us notice, but a chain reaction ripples outward to affect an entire community. Paul’s metaphor of body parts working together harmoniously is a helpful description of how one small action can have a widespread impact. Consider the way tensing your big toe keeps your foot stable and thereby steadies your whole body. In the same way, a gentle rebuke, a listening ear, or a loving deed benefits the church by strengthening one brother or sister, who then supports another…

We are on this earth to serve the kingdom of God and His church. And we do that by ministering to each other in small ways that steady the whole body as we give extra support to one member. In talking about such service, I am challenging you to find a need that God can meet through you. -IBC